BCH introduces capital campaign to the public

Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina officials are reaching out to the public for support as the nonprofit organization aims to continue "sharing hope and changing lives."

BY DENEESHA EDWARDSThe Dispatch

THOMASVILLE | Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina officials are reaching out to the public for support as the nonprofit organization aims to continue "sharing hope and changing lives."A kickoff for the public phase of a capital campaign took place Tuesday at the Family Resource Center at the Mills Home Campus. Slightly more than 50 people were in attendance when officials announced $13.3 million of the $21.3 million goal has already been collected from the quiet phase. "Thank you for being a part of this children's home program," said Abe Elmore, chairman of the board of trustees. "You don't know what it means for you to come and to share this opportunity with us. The sharing of hope and changing lives … what a slogan. It's just exciting."Attending the event were executive leadership council members, who are the working volunteers steering the fundraiser during the next 18 months. Also in attendance were BCH staff, supporters and trustees. "They are essential and critical to this campaign, to this effort, to this drive or whatever it is that you want to call it, but you are the ones that's going to make this engine really rev up and roar so that we can hear it from the mountains to the coast," said Dr. Michael Blackwell, president of BCH, to the leadership team. "All of you are here today because you care. You care about children. You care about adults with intellectual and development disabilities. You care about families in distress. You are here because you believe in the mission and the vision of the Baptist Children's Home of North Carolina." Blackwell noted the event was not only an important day but historical. He said for the campaign to be successful everyone in the room needed three things — a gritty spirit of determination, an exquisite sense of timing and an unrelenting positive attitude."God has laid his hands upon all of us," Blackwell said. "The journey is beginning today. The journey is beginning right now, and you are in for the ride of your life. We're off to a great and rousing start!"Money from the campaign will be used to renovate facilities and create an endowment for ongoing renovations needs, operational support and bequests/gifts.Brenda Gray, executive vice president of development and communication for BCH, said 9,983 boys and girls, parents, adults with disabilities and senior adults would have not been served last year if it was not for the BCH ministry."Without this campaign, we would not be able to sustain this ministry. Children will go unserved. Families will go unserved," she said. "You who give to us on a regular basis are all about sharing hope and changing lives. So we say to you today thank you. Thank you for stepping up to the table and saying I will … I will do whatever it takes. I know we're going to exceed the campaign (goal). Thank you for the difference you have made and are going to make. You have a wonderful story to tell as you go out as our ambassadors. "Tuesday's event celebrated the amount raised so far and encouraged everyone to go out in the community to collect more funds. The solicitation portion will end January 2016. A five-year pledge period is recommended, however donors can choose how they want to give. Donations are tax deductible. The leadership team and board of trustees hope the campaign will help the agency strengthen its position as a leading provider of child and family care.BCH serves children and families through 19 locations around the state by providing children's residential, family care, foster care, transitional living, emergency care, teen mother/baby group home and developmental disabilities ministry.Since August of last year, private donations have been collected to reach over half of the goal during the quiet phase. The funds came from trustees, staff, alumni, foundations and corporations, and friends from different regions around the state.Jerry Jordan, campaign co-chairman, said there was a goal to raise between 50 to 60 percent of the total during the quiet phase. He said the total amount thus far represents 62 percent. "We can't believe we're at this point," Jordan said. "We are so blessed. Thank all of you so much. We're off to a good start."Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com. Follow Deneesha on Twitter: @LexDispatchDE

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